Before you hand over money to a debt collector, take these steps to protect both your finances and your rights.

Fact checked by Betsy Petrick Carrying debt can be stressful, especially if you hold too much and don't have the income to support it. Common debt relief strategies, such as credit counseling, debt ...

Debt management restructures your debt so you can pay it off. Debt settlement involves some amount of debt forgiveness. If you don't qualify for debt management, debt settlement might work for you.

Knowing the signs of a ​​trustworthy debt settlement program can help you avoid scams and find a path to relief.

For many Americans, debt isn’t just a balance on a screen—it’s a daily weight. In a 2025 survey by financial services company ...

"Federal Trade Commission rules include an advance-fee ban," says Pack. "This rule prohibits a debt relief company from ...

There are several ways to deal with overwhelming debt, and the right one for you depends on the severity of the problem and the resources you have. If you’re exploring debt management vs. debt ...